Lidl Ireland say they have reduced to their gender pay gap to nearly half the national average.

The supermarket say their gender pay gap is now at 5.2% which is well below the 9.6% national average.

The retailer say the 2024 figure is an improvement on the 7.9% in 2022.

Gender pay gap is the difference between the average hourly pay rate of male and female employees. 

Lidl has a gender-neutral pay policy, meaning men and women are paid the same rate at the same levels in hourly and salaried roles. 

The company say the remaining gender pay gap is attributable to a greater proportion of males than females in senior roles in the business. 

Lidl also say they have introduced initiatives such as its award-winning Leadership Academy, talent forums to reduce risk of gender bias.

While the roll out of female focused HR policies developed to support women in every stage of life including menopause supports, compassionate leave for miscarriage and early pregnancy loss and the Lupilu family leave programme are designed to support those looking to start a family.

Lidl is also a founding member of LEAD Network Ireland Chapter (Leading Executives Advancing Diversity). 

LEAD Network’s goal is to attract, retain and advance women in the retail and consumer goods industry through education, leadership and male allyship and offer a wide variety of resources, events and best practise case studies developed by members for members. 

Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer & Board Executive at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: “We are pleased to see a reduction once again this year in our mean gender pay gap dropping from 7% to 5.2%, almost half of the average gender pay gap in Ireland. 

"We strongly believe in the positive impact that a zero gender pay gap can have, not only on our own colleagues, but Ireland’s society and economy.

"By tapping into wider talent pools across genders, we will ensure a multiplicity of opinions and approaches, develop enhanced teamwork, ensure we retain both our female and male colleagues and that genders across our workforce are reflective of our broad and diverse customer base.

“We have been laying the foundation to lower our gender pay gap for many years now and have launched several colleague initiatives to reduce obstacles and provide stepping stones and dissolve barriers for females during every life stage. 

"These include flexible working policies, talent forums to ensure a fair and transparent approach to appraisals, our Leadership Academy, enhanced maternity leave, compassionate leave, menopause supports and Lupilu family leave programme.

"We’re also proud to be a founding member of the LEAD Network Ireland Chapter and be part of the shared goal of attracting, retaining and advancing women in the retail and consumer goods industry.

“We’re delighted to report tangible progress in our pay gap this year, achieving a 0% median gap, and we’re committed to continuing on our journey to a 0% mean pay gap with policies, supports and programmes that have real impact in our colleagues’ lives and career trajectory for many years to come.”